Water-controlling mechanism for ice-cans



T. BIRKENMAIER.

l WATER CONTROLLING MEcHANlsM FoR ICE cANs.

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Y T. BIRKENMAIER. WATER CONTRYOLLING MECHANISM FOR ICE CANS APPLlcATloN' man No.4, 191e.

Patented May 1s, 1920.

l2 SHEETFSHEET 1 ff e y @SW6/brom@ THEODORE BIRKENMAIER,

or sT. LoUr's, ivrrssonnr.

WATER-GONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR ICE-GAINS.

Specification of vLetters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1920.

Application led December 4, 1916. Serial No. 135,003.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I," THEoDonn BIRKEN- MAIEP., a citizen of the United States, and residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in 1Water-Controlling Mechanism for Ice-Cans, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ice manufacturing appliances, being directed more particularly to mechanisms for controlling the supply of water to the ice molding cans.

In the operation of filling such cans, it is customary to employ some form of controlling mechanism for automatically cutting off the supply of water when the can has been filled to the desired predetermined level. Such mechanisms in their preferred form, usually embody a float and means actuated thereby, arranged to cause the water supply valve to be automatically closed at the proper time.

These mechanisms, as heretofore constructed, and in which the float has a praci tically direct connection with the latch which serves to hold the valve in open position, have proven more or less obj ectionable,.

that the weight of the valve plus the pressure of its controlling spring on the latch, causes the parts to bind and offer a resistance greater than the head of the iniiowing water, thus preventing proper movement of the float and causing the water to rise beyond the desired level, and in many instances to overflow the can.

A further objection encountered in the operation of prior mechanisms follows, as a result of the fact that they are wholly unadjustable to cans of different sizes, or for varying predetermined water levels in a can of a given size. Therefore, heretofore, it has been necessary, in order to vary the size or weight of the block` of ice, to employ molding cans of correspondingly varying sizes, and equip such cans with cut-off mechanisms specially adapted to the size of the particular can.

i This invention has among its objects, therefore, to provide a cut-off mechanism of the type described, wherein the float has an indirect action in the operation of tripping the cut-off mechanism, and one in which the for the reason floatis free at all times for movement with the inliowing water, and liability of the float becoming fixed against movement wholly obviated.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a mechanism which may be readily adjusted to cans of varying sizes, and one in which the parts of the mechanism may be vconveniently adjusted to or' set for varying predetermined levels in a can of a given size.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a side elevation partly in vertical longitudinal section of a mechanism embodying the invention, and showing the same applied for use in an ice molding can;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism, showing fragmentary portions of opposite walls of the can;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. l, and looking downward in the direction of the arrows; and,

Fig. 4; is an enlarged elevation partly in section, illustrating the positions of parts shown in Fig. l, with the valve closed.

Referring to the drawing, l. designates a sheet metal can of the type employed for molding blocks of ice, this can which is conventionally shown herein for purposes of illustration, being of the usual or any preferred form, proportions and material.

The device forming the subject matter of this invention, comprises a support adapted to be placed in the can and on which the mechanisml is mounted; a. part of this support is formed by an inlet pipe or duct made in two sections 2 and 3, telescopically arranged as shown, and of which the main or upper section 2 is provided with a scale 4 graduated in inches, as shown, while the lower movable section 3, which is provided with lower terminal outlets 5, is equipped with a winged clamping bolt 6 adapted for manipulation to fix the pipe sections against movement relatively, as will be readily understood. The pipe 2 vleads from an elbowed pipe connection 7 to which water is conducted by a flexible pipe 8 from a suitable source of supply and the connection 7,

which constitutes a valve casing provided with an internal valve seat 9, is bored above said seat to receive a stufling box 10, in which Works the stem 11, of a valve 12 adapted to the rseat 9 and to close under the influence of a spring13 arranged on the stem 11.

lAttached to the connection 7 is a rectangu-l lar carrier frame 14 provided with a central vertical guide rod 15, telescoping within a vertically slidable sleeve 16 provided at its lower end with a shoulder 17, an actuator weight 18, having an annular shoulder 19 being slidably arranged on said sleeve. The shoulder 19 is adapted for engagement by a latch 2O pivotally hung in a. bearing 21 and provided with a tail piece-or finger 22 projecting within the path of movement of a tripping` rod 28 sustained and guided in suitable bearings 24 and connected at its lower end with a float 25 movable on the rod 15 and adapted to be arrested in its downward movement by the lower end of the frame 14.

Pivoted in a suitable bearing 26 on the connection 7, is a valve operating lever 27 provided with a rearwardly projecting han dle 28 Vand with a pair of forwardly projecting arms 29 and 30, of which the latter is connected by means of a link 81 with the upper end of the valve stem 11, while the former is connected by a cord or other suitable flexible connection 32 with the upper end of sleeve 16, the said sleevek having a further connectionv by means of a second cord38 with one'arm of a bell crank lever 34: fulcrumed atV its elbow in a bearing 85 provided on a bracket 36 formed on or carried by the connection 7. The second arm of the lever 84 is connected by means of a link 37 with a verticali)7 disposed latch 38, in turn pivoted at its lower end in a bearing 89`on the bracket and having its uppcn end formed and disposed for engagement with a lug or keeper 10, provided on the stem 11, this latch being movable to latch` ing position under the influence of a spring 41, suitably attached on the bracket 36.

TheV construction and arrangement of the l foregoing mechanism'is such that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1;.

with the valve open,` the water vledy from the source of supply by the flexible pipe 8.l may flow freely through the Vconnection .7, and pipe 2 and 3, for filling the can 1.' As the water rises in the can, it will, upon reaching the desired predetermined level, lift the rfloat 25 and cause the rod 23, through en gagement with the tail piece 22, to trip the latch 20 and release the weight 18, whereupon the latter will drop by gravity until arrested bythe shoulder 17 at the lower endof sleeve 16. The weight, in falling,'gathers considrrock the lever 34, and through the link connection 37, throw the latch 88 out of engagement with the keeper 410 and allow the valve 12 to close under the influence of spring 13,

and out off the flow of waterto the can, as will be readily understood, the latch 138 being moved against the action of spring' 41.

lith the parts in the position shown in F ig. 4:, at which time the weight 18 will rest upon the shoulder 17',AV the lever'27l may be manually operated to open the valve 12 and reset the tripping mechanism, by pressing downward on the handle 28. As the handle moves downward, the arm 29 will, of course, be carried upward and at the beginning of its movement, will first take up the slack in the cord 32 and thereafter move the sleeve 16 upward for raising the weight 18, which must, of course, be lifted until engagedby the Vlatch 20, as shown in TEig. 1, at which time the shorter arm 30 of the leverrwill, through Vits connection 81 with the valve stem, have lifted the valve 12 against the action of s pringlI and have carried the keeper 40 sufficiently beyond the upper end ofy latch 38 to insure proper positioning of the latter, by the spring l1 for assured engagement with the keeper. It is understood that in this movement of the'lparts, the handle 28, sleeve 16 and stem 11, will, by the time the weight has been sufl'iciently lifted,

have been carried slightly beyondthe posi- Y and its connection with the arm of the lever 27 to effect a slight return movement of the latter, sufficient for seating the keeperk 4:0 in proper engagement with the latch 88 and slackening the cord82, as seen in Fig. 1, whereby the sleeve 16 is adapted for move ment under the infiuence of the weight 18, for throwing the latch 88 to releasing position, as heretofore explained.

It is to be particularly noted that'the float 25, which acts indirectly in the Ytripping operation, in that itsonly function is to release ythe weight 18, is an independent detached part, and is, therefore, free at all times for movement under the head of the inflowing water to trip the weight releasing latch 20, and that the weight 18 actually supplies the force requisite for tripping the valve holdingla'tch 88. rlherefore, a positive opera tion of the mechanism isV insured and liability of the water rising beyond the desired level in the can or overflowing the latter, v`

is wholly obviated.

The appliance'is equippedwith horizontal supporting and centering rods 42 and 43, slidably arranged in bearing lugs 44, preferably formed on or carried by the connection 7 means, in the form of thumbscrews 45 tapped through the lugs, being provided for fixing the rods againstv movement. These rods, which are arranged in pairs with the rods 42, lying at right angles to the rods 43, are provided at their outer ends with heads 46 having flat bearing faces adapted to engage and hold rictionally on the walls of the can l, it being noted that the rods of each pair are reversely disposed for the heads 4G to bear, respectively, on opposite faces of the can.

In the operation of introducing the appliance into the can, the thumbscrew 6 will be loosened, adapting pipe section 3 for movement longitudinally of the companion section 2, whereby the pipe may be adjusted to the depth of the can, or rather to the desired level of the water to be introduced into the can, which adjustment of the parts may be accurately determined by the scale 4. After thus properly regulating the length of the pipe 2 3, the appliance, having the thumbscrews 45 loosened, is introduced into the can and may, by a proper relative adjust- Y 1 the cut-off position.

ment of the rods 42 and rods 43, be accurately centered in the can, whereupon by again tightening the thumbscrews 45, the rods will be fixed against movement for properly supporting the apparatus in upright position within the can. It will be particularly observed that owing to the pipe leading from the connection 7, and the rods 42 and 43 being adjustable to cans of varying sizes and depths, and also to varying predetermined depths of water in a can of a given size, thus rendering the apparatus universal in its application to diierent sizes oi cans and to molding blocks of ice oi' varying sizes in a given can. It will also be noted that owing to the provision of the restricted outlets 5, at the lower end ofthe pipe 2 3, and through which the intlowing water is delivered at the kbottom of the can, liability of objectionable V`agitation of the water at its surface within the can, will be obviated, and thus a jerky, irregular movement oi the float 25, beA avoided.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the invention accomplishes its stated objects in the attainment of which various minor changes may be made in the details herein set forth without departing Jfrom the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A device for filling cans to a predetermined level from a source of water under pressure, comprising, a support adapted to be placed inside of the can, a supply pipe connection mounted on said support and provided with an outlet for delivering the liquid to the can, a valve for said outlet, means for closing said valve, a float mounted on said support and inside of the can, and an impact member adapted to be released by said float and operating to actuate said closing means in order to cut off the supply jvhep the liquid reaches a predetermined eve 2. A device for filling cans to a predetermined level :Erom a source of water under pressure, comprising, a-support adapted to be placed inside of the can, a supply pipe connection mounted "on said support and provided with an outlet Jfor delivering the liquid to the can, a valve for said outlet, means on said support and operable when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in the can adapted to cut oii the supply, and an extension on said support adapted for adjustment relative thereto in order to vary 3. A device for filling cans to a predetermined level from a source of water under pressure, comprising, a support adapted to be placed inside of the can, a supply pipe connection mounted on said support and provided with an outlet for delivering the liquid to the can, a valve for said outlet, means on said support and operable when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in the can adapted to cut off the supply, and means for adjusting the height of said support.

4. A device for iilling cans to a predetermined level rom a source of water under pressure, comprising, a support adapted to be placed inside of the can, a supply pipe connection mounted on said support and provided with an outlet for delivering the liquid to the can, a valve for said outlet, means on said support and operable when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in the can adapted to cut oii the supply, and means on said support for adjusting the same to cans of diierent lateral and vertical dimensions.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature this 13 day of June, 1916.

THEODORE BIRKENMAIER, n 

